Labyrinth of Broken Vows

3. Chapter 3

three

T horne

Good. She’s asleep. Finally.

The crow lands on the iron railing beside me, its dark feathers gleaming in the dim light of my chamber. I stroke its sleek head and nod in approval. "Good work," I murmur, my voice low. The bird caws softly, almost as if it knows the gravity of what it has done. It's carried my whispers to her, filled her dreams with the song meant only for her. She’ll rest now, after the torment she’s endured these past days. I let my gaze linger on the vision within the crystal ball—the soft rise and fall of her chest, the delicate curve of her lips as sleep finally claims her.

She doesn’t even know how strong she is. But she will. Oh, she will.

I recline back onto the bed, my fingers trailing over the black silk sheets. The vines that twist around the posts seem to pulse with the same dark magic that runs through my veins. But without her beside me, it’s all cold. Empty. The fire of my anger, always burning, has consumed me for so long now, I don’t even know what peace feels like. Not real peace. But when she’s here, when she’s mine, I’ll know. The emptiness will fade, and the world will make sense again.

Tomorrow, I set it all in motion.

She doesn’t understand yet, but she will. That bastard she calls a husband won’t touch her again. He won’t speak to her, won’t breathe the same air as her ever again. The thought of her beneath his cruelty makes my blood boil, my fists clench. But I’ll fix it. She’s not meant to be broken by him. She’s meant to be adored, worshipped. And she’ll know it once she’s here, with me. I’ll cradle her in my arms, and the world will fall into place. She’ll know peace—not the hollow kind she’s told to accept, but the kind that comes from strength. From love.

I close my eyes, the image of her face still fresh, and sleep takes me.

The caw of the crow pulls me from the depths of my dreams. “Alright, alright,” I mutter, sitting up and throwing off the black sheets. I stand, stretching, feeling the pull of the day ahead. There’s no time to waste now.

Today, it begins.

I dress swiftly, pulling on my armor piece by piece. It’s forged from the blackest steel, dark and unyielding, like the shadows of the maze that surrounds my kingdom. Each clasp, each strap tightens with purpose, a reminder of what I must do. I stare at myself in the mirror for a moment. The Maze King. The title was once given to me in fear. Now, it will become legend.

When I step outside, my army is already assembled, waiting for me beneath the gray sky. My crow warriors, their wings dark as the abyss, are lined in rows, their eyes gleaming with anticipation. The air crackles with energy, their excitement feeding the storm that brews within me.

I step forward, my voice cutting through the air like a blade. “The king will never want peace with us,” I begin, my tone cold, ruthless. I watch as their eyes narrow, as they clench their fists, ready for blood. “But we do not beg for peace with men like him. We do not lower ourselves to the level of barbarians. We are here for one thing—Sir Henry.”

A murmur of approval ripples through the ranks, but I raise a hand to silence them. “Do not mistake my words. This is not a battle of honor. There is no victory in his death. His capture is all that matters, for he will be mine. And when I have him, when I take him to my castle, that iron cage over there,” I point to the massive, empty cage standing off to the left, “will be filled with his cries. His screams will echo through the halls.”

The crowd erupts, their cheers like a wave of chaos, a storm ready to break. Their wings spread wide, the sound of feathers beating the air fills the space, a symphony of violence promised.

“Henry will beg for mercy,” I continue, my voice rising, dripping with venom. “But we are not merciful. We are not saviors. We are the storm, and he will know the full force of it when we strike.”

The crows scream, their voices high and wild, feeding the fire in my veins. I look at the cage one last time, already imagining Henry within it, shackled, broken. And yet, my thoughts turn to her again. Brielle . She doesn’t know it yet, but her freedom is already in motion. Soon, she’ll be here. In my arms. Safe. Loved. The walls that have kept her caged for so long will crumble, and I’ll show her a life beyond anything she’s ever dreamed.

I take one last deep breath, the cold air filling my lungs. The plan is simple: Capture Henry. Take him to the maze. Break him. But for her, it means everything.

Today, the tides turn. For her. For me. For us.

The fog curled around the walls of the maze, whispering secrets only I could hear. I watched as they approached; the knights, their armor glinting weakly in the dim light, their faces masked by helmets that couldn’t hide their fear. They thought they were prepared, but no one ever truly is when they walk into my world. They thought they could ambush me here, in the depths of my realm? How na?ve.

As the first knight stepped forward, his armor gleaming, I raised my voice, smooth yet laced with sarcasm. "Ah, the noble knights come to face their doom! You enter my maze, thinking yourselves cunning. Yet, it is I who control the shadows here."

They halted, hesitation creeping into their ranks as I surveyed them with a mixture of amusement and disdain. One knight, clearly emboldened by misplaced valor, stepped forward. "We come to end your tyranny, Thorne! The king has sent us to restore peace to the kingdom!" The disrespect of addressing me by my name doesn’t go unnoticed and will not go unpunished.

I chuckled, the sound dark and mocking. "Peace? A quaint concept indeed! Your king’s dreams of peace are as hollow as your armor, filled with nothing but hot air and false bravado. I’ll let you in on a little secret—he will never meet with me, for he knows the truth: I am the master of this maze, and here, I am the KING!."

With a swift movement, I lunged forward, my sword slicing through the air. The first knight barely had time to react as my blade found its mark, piercing through his armor and into the soft flesh beneath. His body crumpled, blood pooling on the ground as I smirked down at him. "You see? This is my domain, and you are utterly unprepared."

The knights surged forward, their futile efforts merely adding to my amusement. I relished the chaos as they flailed, swords clashing against my army that now flowed in front of me to meet their attacks. Chaos erupted around me as the knights scrambled to retaliate. But they were clumsy, uncoordinated, their desperation only adding to my amusement. My army of warriors, their crow heads striking fear in the eyes of these “heros”, moved with swift precision. One knight swung his sword wildly, desperation evident in his eyes, but I was quicker. I sidestepped his clumsy attack, my blade thrusting forward again, this time finding purchase in the soft flesh of his throat.

A gurgling scream escaped his lips as I twisted the sword, pulling it free with a wet, satisfying slurp. Blood gushed forth, painting the stone walls of my maze, the sight invigorating me. "Do you see now?" I called out to the remaining knights, my voice a low growl. "Your valor is nothing, I am in your head, you’ve lost already.”

The battle raged around me, a chaotic dance of death and destruction. I relished every moment, every pained scream, every flicker of fear in their eyes. The knights fought valiantly, but they were outmatched, surrounded by my relentless crows who plunged into the fray with a ferocity that left no room for mercy.

"Fools!" I roared, cutting down another knight with a swift slice, his body collapsing like a marionette with severed strings. "You are pawns!”

Just as the tide of battle seemed to turn in my favor, two of my crow warriors appeared, dragging Sir Henry towards me, his face bruised and battered. "Ah, how delightful!" I exclaimed, my eyes glinting with anticipation."Ah, Sir Henry," I called, feigning surprise. "How delightful to see you here, so far from your king’s embrace! I have long awaited this moment." My voice was smooth, laced with menace, as I stepped closer.

"You don’t even know me! Release me you coward." he spat, defiance flickering in his eyes despite the blood trickling from his brow.

I chuckled, stepping in closer, relishing his futile bravery. "Oh, but I do know you, and how I long to make you sing ." I added, my voice lowering dangerously, "You’re going to sing for me now, little bird."

With two precise strikes, I struck him in the face, the impact sending him reeling. "Oh that felt really bad didn’t it," I declared, watching as he slumped, weakened by the blows. Blood marred his features, the sight is one I wish she could see. One she will see, soon.

"Take him to my castle," I commanded, my voice echoing through the chaos. "Lock him away. I’ll deal with him shortly." I paused, allowing a cruel smile to spread across my lips. "But first, I have a battle to finish. Let us see how many more of your knights possess the courage to face me."

With renewed ferocity, I plunged back into the fray, my sword carving through the remaining knights like a scythe through wheat. They began to falter, the tide of battle turning against them as the realization of their impending defeat settled in.

"Flee, then!" I shouted, my voice ringing with authority. "Return to your king with your tails tucked between your legs! Let him know the Maze King does not seek peace with the likes of you. I got what I came for."

One by one, they broke and scattered, their cowardice laid bare before my gaze. The maze had claimed them, as I had planned. With every knight who fled, I solidified my reign and prepared for the true conquest that awaited. I have a new toy waiting for me. Let’s see how pretty he sounds when he sings.

The victory still tingled in my veins as I strode through the grand entrance of my castle, the heavy doors slamming shut behind me with a resonating thud. A wave of satisfaction washed over me at the sight of him, caged and helpless, the proud knight reduced to a mere captive in my domain.

As I approached the iron cage, both Henry and I rushed toward each other, our eyes locking in a fierce battle of wills. In that instant, I could see the man he really was—a pathetic coward hidden behind layers of bravado and false righteousness. I relished the tension, the satisfaction blooming within me as I landed a solid punch through the bars, the impact sending him staggering back, shock etched on his bloodied face.

"Wow, your face really likes my fist," I taunted, the satisfaction of my blow curling my lips into a cruel smile. I stepped closer, reveling in the way he struggled to regain his composure. "Ouch, you’re bleeding.. A real mess, aren’t you?"

His hands reached up to his mouth, the crimson droplets spilling between his fingers,“Why me?” he spat, wiping the blood from his mouth, confusion and rage mingling in his eyes. “Why did you choose me as your prisoner?”

I leaned closer, the intoxicating taste of power swirling around me like a dark mist. “Oh, Henry, you really don’t understand, do you? This isn’t about you; it’s about her.”

Confusion contorted his features, a comical expression that only fueled my delight. “Who? Who are you talking about?” He stared at me, bewildered, as if I’d just spoken in a language he couldn’t comprehend.

With a sly smile creeping across my lips, I savored the moment. “Ah, I see we both have a nasty little habit, don’t we? Caging up fragile little birds—things weaker than us—so we can toy with them, manipulate them to our will.” I leaned back slightly, letting the words hang in the air like a thick fog, watching as realization flickered in his eyes. “But here’s the thing, Henry,” I continued, my voice dripping with sarcasm, “you’re a pathetic excuse for a warden. I’m not just any predator; I know how to nurture those little birds, how to let them soar instead of forcing them to stay trapped in a gilded cage.”

Henry’s eyes narrowed, fury twisting his face, but I could see the fear lurking behind that mask. I could practically taste it. He opened his mouth to speak, but I cut him off, taking a slow, deliberate step closer to the cage.

“You know,” I mused, letting my gaze drift lazily across his bloodied face, “I’ve been watching her for some time now. Watching you too. Every slap, every bruise, every broken piece of her spirit... I’ve seen it all, Henry. But don’t worry, I’m not here to lecture you. I’m here to take what’s mine.”

His knuckles turned white as he gripped the bars, trying to meet my gaze with defiance. But I could see him unraveling, see the cracks forming beneath the weight of the truth.

“She’s not yours,” he spat, but his voice lacked conviction.

I laughed, a low, dangerous sound. “Well, Henry. That’s where you’re wrong. You’ve had her body—bruised and beaten—but her soul? That was never yours to claim.” I stepped forward, my eyes flashing with cruel amusement. “She’s been slipping through your fingers all this time, and now, she’s mine. The little bird you thought was too broken to fly? She’s about to soar, right into my arms, into my bed, and you will witness it all.”

He lunged at the bars, the desperation in his movements almost pitiful. “You think you can take her from me?”

“I already have.” I tilted my head, letting my words drip with cold certainty. “You’ve done all the work for me, really. You made her hate you, despise the very air you breathe. And now, I’ll be the one to show her what true power feels like. What it’s like to be cherished, worshiped, adored.” I flashed him a mocking grin, relishing the look of rage and confusion that crossed his face.

“Shut up!” he snarled, gripping the bars so hard I thought they might bend.

“Touched a nerve, did I?” I taunted, leaning in closer. “You know, it must be so emasculating to realize that all your beatings, all your threats, amounted to nothing. That deep down, she was always dreaming of a way out. Of me. You thought you could break her, but you only strengthened her resolve.” I lowered my voice, letting the final blow sink in. “And I’ll be the one to set her free.”

His eyes flickered with uncertainty, the truth settling in like a poison he couldn’t spit out. I grinned wider, watching his rage burn into something desperate, something powerless.

“You’re nothing, Henry,” I whispered, my voice smooth as silk. “And soon, she’ll see that too.”

I sit back on my throne, fingers lazily trailing over the smooth surface of the crystal ball. The image inside flickers to life, revealing the knights—those pitiful, battered fools—stumbling through the gates of the town. Their armor clanks, dented and scraped, sounding more like hollow echoes than symbols of strength. I chuckle under my breath, watching them limp toward the king’s palace, their pride shattered.

The townspeople whisper, eyes wide with a mix of fear and curiosity. Children cling to their mothers’ skirts, frozen as the so-called protectors rush by, faces etched with desperation. They're an embarrassment, and the townsfolk know it. No saviors. Just broken men.

From behind me, Henry’s voice cuts through the moment, hoarse and seething. "They'll come for me, you know. You’ve started a war by taking me!"

I chuckle, low and dark, still watching the scene unfold in the crystal ball. Without turning to face him, I speak, the sarcasm dripping from my voice. "You really think so highly of yourself, don’t you, Henry?"

I finally glance over my shoulder at him, trapped in that cage like the miserable beast he is. "You’re nothing more than a pawn in a game far bigger than your tiny little world." I smirk, enjoying how his face twists with rage. "No one’s coming. Not for you, Henry. You're nothing. Just another spoiled brute who doesn't realize how quickly he's become obsolete."

Henry slams his fists against the bars, rattling them. "They’ll come. They’ll burn your castle to the ground for this!"

I raise an eyebrow, turning back to the ball as the knights grow more frantic, clearly lost in their scramble. "Let them try,"